This series was the main correspondence series of the Department of Defence until August 1914. Thereafter it operated in conjunction with the "War" series (B543) and the AIF series (B539). The prefixes, A, B, D, and E which were added to the registration numbers in this series, indicated the section within the administration to which correspondence was directed:
"A" - Personnel covering such topics as appointments, promotions,
transfers, resignations, medical services.
"B" - Works. For example, rifle ranges, land requisitions,
telegraphs.
"D" - Finance and General. For example, Accounts, Allowances, Pay. "E" - Supply. For example, Munitions, Equipment, Contracts,
supplies, stores, factories, quarters, transport.
The prefix "C" was not allocated to avoid confusion with confidential registrations. In the registration system primary numbers were obtained by drawing up an alphabetical list of major subject headings and then allocating a primary number from 1 to 399 to each subject. Prefixes were then given to each primary number according to which section correspondence on the subject was to be referred. The second number indicated the subject sub-division within a primary subject, while the third number was allocated to papers consecutively upon receipt. i.e. 1/1/2 was the second papers registered under "accounts, general". Each paper received was registered. If it related to previous papers it would be placed with them to make a file and was put away according to the latest number. When looking for an individual paper it is usually essential to refer to the registration booklets (CRS B 536) which record these attachments.
When received, papers were stamped with a rectangular "Department of Defence" stamp and the registration numbers were written within the space provided by the stamp. Files were apparently kept in grey Department of Defence jackets, but many papers without related correspondence (and some files) were transferred to Archives without these jackets and have been placed in folders. This series was subject to heavy culling first in the 1920's, and then again in the early 1950's, by the department. The entries in the registration booklets (CRS B 536) give a guide to these destructions, stamps having been placed on some entries at the time of the culling to the effect that the papers had been destroyed or transferred to Archives
A number of papers from this series were top-numbered into A 1952, Correspondence files, multiple number series 1917-1929, and some can also be found in the rifle range and training depot files transferred to Archives as MP 1142/1 and MP 1461/1.
**EO
Quantity in agency custody
8.10m. held by CA1727, Australian Archives, Victorian Branch 2.55m. held by CA1720, Australian Archives, Central Office - ACT BranchRelated series unregistered
"Alphabetical" name and subject index cards for correspondence files, ?1917-1925 (MP 1162/2)
Subsequent series unregistered
Correspondence files relating to rifle ranges, multiple number series, 1917-1951 (MP 1142/1, 1461/1 - unaccessioned)
Correspondence files relating to drill halls and training depots, 1917-1951 (MP 1142/1 and 1461/1 - unaccessioned)